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The hot sun beat down on the beach that looked like it came out of a travel magazine, and the ocean water was so inviting in the Japanese summer heat.

"Wow! The ocean! It so blue." Tohru gazed out at the beautiful sight in awe as the Sohma's smiled and placed everything down on the soft white sand.

Marley had already gotten a look at the ocean this morning when she had gone for a jog, but it still looked just as beautiful the 2nd time she saw it, and it was made even better now that she was with her friends.

"Kisa, sit still." Marley laughed as she tried to braid Kisa's hair into a French braid to keep it out of her face while she went swimming. Kisa was clearly excited and kept staring at the ocean.

"There." Marley slipped on the elastic to Kisa's braid.

"Thank you, Marley-Onee-Chan!" The young girl hugged Marley before Momiji came and pulled Kisa and Tohru to the water, yelling at Marley to hurry up and change.

"I'll be in soon!" Marley yelled back as she slipped off her jeans shorts and threw off her oversized T-shirt, throwing it on one of the large beach blankets they had brought. The girl took her long white-blonde hair and split it down the middle, braiding her hair into tight dutch braids before getting started on sunscreen.

"Need help with your back," Miguel asked Marley as he slipped off his black muscle tee, his sleeve tattoos on full display along with the large angel wings on his back. The Sohma boys slightly dropped their jaws as they certainly hadn't expected it. Except for Haru, who told Miguel that it was sick and wondered if he could pull something like that off.

Hiro, Kyo and Yuki wondered if all American teenagers had tattoos. Or if they all were as tall as Miguel.

After quickly spreading some sunscreen onto Marley's back before throwing the bottle at Hatsuharu. Miguel turned around, and Marley finally caught sight of his back and dropped her jaw at the large piece of art of his back.

"That's a new piece. When did you get it?" Marley asked Miguel, who just shrugged and mentioned he got it last fall as a last-minute decision, but he had planned on angel wings for a while.

Marley had gotten used to his arm sleeves and had even gone with him when he got one of the sleeves done. While technically Miguel was still underage and shouldn't be getting tattoos, the tattoo shop he went too didn't really care as long as they got paid.

Plus, Miguel pulls them off REALLY well.

"How long did it take?" Marley asked as she looked over all the detailed feathers.

"About 2 6 hour sessions." He shrugged, honestly not really remembering, and Marley complimented that it looked stunning.

"Stop looking at me like I'm a piece of meat." Miguel slapped Marley on her butt, and she let out a small, high-pitched squeak as he smirked and ran into the ocean where Momiji and Tohru were calling him over. Marley just shook her head but laughed a bit as he dove into the water, splashing Tohru and Momiji in the process.

.

What Marley didn't notice was that all the boys behind her who had just witnessed the playful 'smack' were in shock and trying not to stare at the slightly reddish print on Marley's left cheek. The boys felt a glare and looked over to see Hiro sending them a judging look that made them feel like perverted old men. Typically Hiro wasn't all that intimidating, but Kyo and Yuki felt the shame and averted their gaze.

The light purple with the Hawaiian-Esque floral accents was perfect for summer, and Marley was still in slight shock that the boy who wore a red hoodie to the beach had picked out such a perfecting fitting bikini for her.

Marley was still a little self-conscious of the white scar in the middle of her chest, but she loved the bikini too much to let that scar stop her.

"That's a cute bikini, Marley." Hatsuharu complimented, and Marley grinned, mentioning that Kyo was the one to pick it out as she stood tall in the swimsuit. She really did love the two-piece Kyo had picked out.

"DIDN'T I TELL YOU TO BE QUIET ABOUT THAT!?" Kyo jumped up and yelled, but Marley just let a small 'oops' leave her lips, feeling a little bad for embarrassing him like that. Kyo groaned before sitting himself back on the blanket, ignoring the rest of the Sohma boys' surprised looks.

"Hiro, aren't you going in?" Hatsuharu asked as it seemed Hiro was making no move to join as he glared out at the ocean.

"No. All of you are acting like a bunch of children." Hiro huffed, but Marley noticed him staring out at Kisa and Tohru having fun splashing around in the water.

He must be mad that Kisa's off having fun with Tohru already.

"Ah... Young love." Marley sighed as she smiled softly, and this made Hiro raise a brow at her before letting out a huff of air and turning away.

Truth was that Marley had actually planned on reading on the beach for a bit before swimming, but now she had a new mission.

"Aww, c'mon Hiro, I wanna go swimming. Let's go jump in from over there. It'll be fun!" Marley leaned down towards Hiro, her hands on her knees and a big smile on her face.

No one could resist, not even the most stubborn of rams.

"Fine... only because I don't want you to look silly going by yourself." Hiro huffed, and Marley grabbed his hand and the pink inflatable donut that she had blown up that morning. The two walked further out, being careful as they walked on a rocky ledge that led to a deeper part of the ocean, and Marley threw out the innertube into the sea before gearing up to jump in.

"C'mon Hiro." Marley laughed as she held out her hand to him, and he grumbled a bit before taking it and got ready to jump in with her. Marley tried not to giggle over the small look of excitement in Hiro's eyes.

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"Okay, 1...2... 3!" The two cannonballed in, the refreshing cold water was a saviour in the hot weather, and Hiro wanted to do it again, and they both crawled out to jump in again. Marley managed to even bring out the kid in Hiro as he started to enjoy himself.

The two swam around a bit before Marley and Hiro joined the others in the shallower part of the ocean. Yuki wondered how they had seemed to have so much energy, and everyone seemed to be having so much fun.

"What about you, Kyo, going in?" Haru asked, and Kyo scoffed and laid down on his blanket.

"Not on your life."

"I'm surprised Sensei isn't here. I didn't think he would miss this for the world." Haru mentioned as he stretched his arms a bit while he looked out at everyone in the water.

"He said he's come later after getting some work done, but why were you so sure he'd come?" Yuki asked, curious as to why Hatsuharu had expected the older Zodiac member.

"He's missing out on Honda-San and Marley in a tight swimsuit." He simply stated as if it wasn't an utterly shameless statement.

"Don't talk like that!" Both Yuki and Kyo yelled in unison, ready to throttle the Cow of the Zodiac.

"It's a normal thought of any teenager." Haru shrugged as he stared out at the ocean, not seeing the harm in enjoying their sweet youth and bikini season.

"You ain't no normal teen." Kyo jumped and brought Hatsuharu in for a headlock, ignoring his small sounds of discomfort.

Marley looked over to the beach, where it looked like Kyo and Haru were roughhousing a bit as Yuki just sunbathed a bit. The girl's attention was diverted by Momiji's cheering and saw a mass of splashes moving through the ocean.

"...Does.. does she not know how to swim?" Miguel asked as he swam up to Marley, who just continued to watch as Tohru finally came to a stop and was gasping for air.

Marley had seen Tohru at the school pool and could have sworn the girl had swum just fine but then she also remembered that she had been dog-paddling around with a small flotation device.

"Oi Tohru!" Miguel yelled, grabbing the girl's attention as he and Marley quickly swam over to where Tohru was still catching her breath.

"YES?" She heaved as she started to get the air back in her lungs, but a distressed look still on her face.

"Your swimming is umm.." Marley was trying to think of something to say but didn't want to come off as mean.

"... like nothing... I've ever seen." Marley finished, feeling right about the comment as it wasn't a lie.

Nailed it

"Got that right," Miguel smirked, and Marley nudged him in the ribs, but he pushed her into the water.

"We- were you watching me? I was really swimming, right?! Then I shall try again! Once more! Watch!" She was clearly motivated as she tried to give it her all once more.

"Woah, Woah, chill Chica. The sea will sweep you out." Miguel was easily able to hook his arm around her small waist and kept her in place before she 'swam' off again, and Tohru couldn't help but slightly marvel at his strong arms that were decorated with black ink.

Miguel pulled Tohru to the more to the shallows as Marley followed till they could stand comfortably, the waves of the ocean coming to their chests. Well, Tohru's chest and Miguel's waist.

"Miguel can teach you, he's really patient when it comes to teaching, and he's a really good swimmer," Marley suggested, and Miguel blushed lightly but was accompanied by a confident smile. Tohru tried to make excuses and insisted that she could stay in the shallows as she didn't want to trouble anyone, but the two weren't backing down.

"He'll make sure you don't drown, he's super strong. Did you know that Miguel helped my practice lifts in a local pool." Marley continued, and Tohru blinked owlishly, not entirely understanding what Marley meant.

"Lifts?" Tohru asked as she tried to imagine what Marley was talking about.

"For dance. I was really nervous, and Miguel insisted that he was strong enough to help me out. And falling in the water is not nearly as scary as falling on the hard ground." Marley explained, but Miguel figured it might just be easier to show them.

"Here." Miguel gestured for Marley to come towards him. Marley placed her hands on Miguel's shoulders while he gripped Marley's waist. Like it was nothing, Miguel lifted her up in the air and seemed like something out of a movie. Everyone looked over to see what the two were up to. Then Miguel flat out threw Marley, and she crashed into the water.

"I knew you were gonna do that." Marley sputtered as her head popped back up.

"Wanna try again," Miguel smirked, and Marley was already at a safe distance away, her pink innertube back in her grasp.

"No, thank you. I'm just going take my donut far over there where I can relax." Marley shook her head as she swam to the deeper part of the ocean, giving Miguel and Tohru room for their swimming lesson.

"Me! me! I wanna try! I wanna try!" Momiji cheered as he splashed his way over. Miguel obliged, lifting the younger boy and threw him into the ocean. It looked like the swimming lesson had been cancelled, and it was now just Miguel goofing off with Tohru and Momiji in the water.

Lifting herself on the flotation device, she drifted along, enjoying the sunshine and the gentle waves accompanied by the sounds of her friends laughing. She closed her eyes and hummed lightly as the sea rocked her. It would be easy for anyone to fall asleep.

"Oi. Planning on drifting out so sea?" She heard a voice yell to her, and she peeked open to see Kyo standing on the dark rocks with his arms crossed.

"Hmm, huh? No..." Marley simply put, but Kyo looked less than convinced. Marley looked up at him as she slipped into the water and casually leaned on the innertube, her head resting on her forearms as she stared up into marigold orange eyes.

"Are you coming? The waters really nice." Marley tried as she wanted Kyo to come in and enjoy himself as she knew that their time at the summer resort would be over before they knew it.

"I hate the water." He scoffed as he stared at the blue ocean water as if it told him to jump off a bridge and then said his dreams would never come true.

"Ah... Right..." Marley tried not to look too disappointed as she rested her arms on the innertube, floating there while Kyo stood on the land.

The spirit of the Cat hates the water... but if he wasn't part of the Zodiac, would he like the water then?

"Can't you at least stay by the others or something," Kyo asked as he nodded his head to where everyone else was swimming, closer to the beach.

"I'm not too far. Plus, this way, I can hang out with you, and you don't have to be in the water." Marley pointed out, happy that she could just spend some time with him. Kyo let out a sigh and tried to hide his small smile as he sat down on the rocks, his bare feet lightly touching the saltwater.

"Would you be interested in some frisbee? We can play on the beach." Marley offered, figuring that if Kyo wouldn't come in the ocean, they could do something on the sand.

"Did you bring one?" Kyo asked, and Marley nodded, mentioning she stuffed a bunch of fun stuff in her beach bag and began listing a few other things they could do. Kyo wondered how much time she had spent thinking about this vacation.

.

".. When did Kyo get out there?" Haru asked as he eyed Kyo sitting on the rocks by the ocean. Marley almost looked like a mermaid with the way she had most of her body in the water. Kyo reached down and found a lock of hair that had escaped Marley's braids. She seemed horrified, and he only laughed as he held the lock of hair between his fingers.

Marley lifted herself out of the water and sat on the rocks next to Kyo. She expertly released her left braid and re-braiding her hair to include the lock of hair that Kyo had found. A small blush on her face as she laughed at something.

They talked about something and seemed to be just happy sitting by on the ocean on the rocks, their feet resting in the cool water. Her smile seemed brighter than the sun that shined down on her and illuminated everything around her.

Yuki watched the scene and felt himself drift away into his memories.

"Don't delude yourself."

Yuki was hiding in a small corner of the dark room. A young Akito saying cruel words so sweetly, as if he wasn't the cause of the young Zodiac members' tears and sorrow. But also the person a part of their souls revered most.

"Listen. This world is pitch-black. You're going to live along this pitch-black path without potential or hope, so don't think that you'll ever be saved."

"Are you dizzy? From the glare?" Haru asked, but Yuki stayed quiet, still seeming lost in whatever he was working through.

"Or maybe dizzy from your feelings?" The white- and black-haired boy tried again as he put the back of his hand to Yuki's forehead, and it seemed to somewhat bring Yuki back to earth.

"Yuki-Kuuuun!" Tohru called out as she waved at them as she stood in-between Momiji and Miguel.

"Yuki, Haru, come swim!" Momiji jumped up and down, water splashing around him.

"Yeah... Okay!" Yuki waved back and took off his light shirt.

"I'm fine. I was just caught up in my thoughts. It's a bad habit of mine. But I don't want to make Honda-San worry about me." Yuki explained, and Hatsuharu nodded approvingly.

".. nice attitude."

"Thanks." Yuki gave a small smile as he walked toward the ocean, joining in the innocent fun and looking forward to making new memories in the sunshine.

"You're really not going in, Kyo?" Haru asked as the boy walked back to the beach blanket.

"No way." Kyo was convinced that nothing in this world would make him willingly go into the ocean though he had almost considered it when Marley asked.

Almost.

Hatsuharu got an idea and grabbed Kyo by the forearm and started dragging him towards the ocean.

"Let's have a little competition." Haru's calmly said as he dragged a screaming Kyo.

"Knock it off, Idiot! Lemme go! Are You tryin' to kill me?!" Kyo hissed as he thrashed to get away, but Hatsuharu barely flinched.

"Yukiiii! Wanna join the race? If you're in, Kyo will get fired up.." Haru suggested as he still hung on to Kyo's arm as he tried to get away, dragged into the ocean as he was still fully dressed.

"Fired up, my ass! I ain't that much of a simpleton!" Kyo argued while Haru decided to invite someone else to the competition.

"Miguel, you join too." Haru offered to the large teenager who had been chilling out with Momiji and Tohru.

"I'm down." Miguel put on a broad smile as he stretched a bit, getting himself ready for the fun race. At the mention of Marley's friend joining the competition, Kyo perked an ear.

"Can I join too?" Marley asked, looking forward to a little friendly competition, and Haru nodded.

"Maybe I will join..." Yuki softly said, and as soon as that left his lips, Kyo threw off his zipped hoodie, fiery passion glowing all around him

"NO WAY AM I GONNA LOSE! I'M GONNA WIN! YA HEAR ME!?" He proclaimed, and Marley watched as his body moved through the waves, his muscular chest and arms on display. Years of martial arts had done him good, and Marley felt her cheeks warm as her eyes roamed Kyo's back muscles as he stretched out his arms.

Can't hurt to just... admire, right?

"what's up with that?" Miguel nudged Marley, and she went red as she figured she had been caught gawking.

"With what?" Marley's voice when up a bit, but Miguel just nodded to Yuki and Kyo and the intense glares they were sending each other's way.

"Oh, Kyo and Yuki have a bit of a rivalry of some sort." Marley laughed as she watched Kyo getting fired up.

"Don't push yourselves too hard..." Tohru tried to warn as everyone who was in the race started to come together.

"I'll be cheering you on Marley-Onee-Chan." Kisa smiled up at Marley, and she brought her in for a hug, cooing over her as she promised to do her best.

"Will you cheer me on?" Miguel asked as he smiled down at Tohru, his green eyes and long brown hair making him look a model who had just walked off a shoot. Tohru felt her cheeks redden, and heart raced a bit, but Tohru told herself it was all the excitement.

"I-uh.."

"I'm just kidding." Miguel winked before joining everyone.

"Marley! Marley! Marley!" Momiji cheered as everyone went to the starting point while those not participating waited on the sidelines. The white-blonde giggled and threw the blonde boy a peace sign and a wink. She then moved her eye line to Kyo, who was hyping himself up for the race and Marley couldn't help but giggle.

"What are you so happy about it?" Kyo raised an eyebrow at the girl who seemed to be having the time of her life, wondering about what was going through her head.

"You came into the water." Marley pointed out, and Kyo rolled his eyes and told her to prepare to lose, a small smirk on his lips, and the white blonde nodded, her heart racing over all the excitement.

"Ready-! Set- GO!" Momiji counted down, and the racers were off.

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Grey eyes watched as Akito was slumped over the table, cradling her head in her hand. This was not how Shigure pictured spending his free time. He spotted Akito's toes peeking out from her long kimono and raised an eyebrow at the red-coloured toes.

"Your toes look very cute." Shigure smiled, loving the feminine touch, but at the very mention, Akito hid her toes, and the man tried not to be too disappointed.

"Marley painted them..." Akito pouted as she hid her face in her arms.

"That was sweet of her." Shigure was certainly amused by the nails but couldn't help the feeling of jealousy that washed over him as her names slipped from Akito's lips. The Zodiac member supposed it was time to bring up the fact that he would be off to the summer house.

It would be nice to see the resort again after so many years. He wondered how it had changed and what had stayed the same.

"I'll be joining them myself pretty soon so you won't see me around here for a while. Try to stay healthy while I'm gone." He mentioned, and Akito glared at him.

"Too late. I'm already sick. What nonsense... I hate Summer. I can't stand this incessant vile heat. I don't feel well.. I've got a headache." Akito groaned

"Hatori... Get Hatori." She ordered, but Shigure was reluctant to do so.

"Hatori is so busy these days. I feel bad calling on him all the time." The Dog looked out the window and noticed said doctor walking along beside a woman.

"That's no concern of mine. He lives for my sake, so he should do everything he can for me." The young head of the Sohma house spat. She blamed how she felt on all this talk about the beach house and didn't understand why everyone was so excited about something so simple.

"Summer resort... Hah! Idiots and Ugly people making merry is all it is. What an annoyance." She scoffed.

"They seem like they're having a lot of fun. Marley's friend Miguel sent some videos." Shigure tossed his phone, and Akito caught it with one hand with ease.

She glared at him, but he only smiled, gesturing for her to press play. Akito did, and music and laughter came from the phone. Marley was dancing with Akito's zodiac members. Hatsuharu and grabbed Yuki and pushed him towards Marley, who held his hands and swung him around, and soon Kyo stepped in.

All of them were looking at Marley and Tohru with such kindness and warmth in their eyes. Akito felt an ugly feeling wrap around her. Her skin felt cold.

Akito only glared more before throwing the phone across the room, breaking the screen.

"Marley's a fool for getting them together like that. Why does she waste her time and energy on those..." Akito gritted her teeth, but then she remembered who she was and got an idea.

"they're getting cocky... They misunderstand the situation. Perhaps... I'd better teach them a lesson." Akito had a dark smile on her face, and Shigure wondered what it would take for Akito to properly learn her lesson as a small smirk slipped onto his face.

It shouldn't be too long now.

"What? Is there a problem?" Akito rose from her spot and stared at Shigure, and he only smiled more and discretely closed the window behind him for some privacy.

"Are you scheming against me?" Akito asked as she approached him and crawled into his lap while staring him down.

"Scheming? I would never harbour such thoughts." The grey-eyed man insisted as he interlocked fingers with Akito.

"In fact... why don't you go to the vacation home too, Akito-San? If you want to teach them a lesson, that is..." Shigure offered, fueling the flame.

Akito knew that the Dog must be up to something, but she felt that it was time to remind those who had forgotten their place in this world. Akito's world, to be more exact.

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"The sun must've been too much for you, your burning up. But at least you don't seem to have a sunburn." Marley placed a cold rag on Yuki's forehead as a few others all crowded around, worried for Yuki's health, and it only stressed him out more. He found it to be embarrassing.

"Maybe you ought to take a parasol tomorrow." Haru suggested, and it was hard to tell if he was joking or being serious. Though Marley had to admit that maybe a beach umbrella wouldn't be a bad idea.

"Over my dead body..." Yuki groaned, cursing his somewhat weak body that put him in this position.

"Y-Y-Yuki-Kun." Tohru started panicking again, and Marley tried to comfort her.

"I think he's joking, Tohru."

"H-h-hang in there! I can't believe that I was just having fun in the water while you were suffering..." Tohru fretted as guilt began to consume her.

"It's only a slight fever, nothing to worry about, calm down." Yuki sighed, but he couldn't deny that he was touched that Tohru worried so much over him.

"But you were amazing, Yuki! You almost came in 1st place, and Miguel looked like a beast in the water." Just as Momiji said that a loud snore broke through the conversation and everyone looked to the other couch where the 'beast' in question was sleeping, a little drool coming out the side of his mouth.

The girls giggled a bit, slightly amazed at how quickly he had passed out when they got back and how is large body barely fit on the couch as his legs hung off the end.

The race had been fun, Miguel had come in first with Yuki in 2nd with Kyo close behind him, and then Marley was 4th while Hatsuharu was last.

"But Kyo was so shocked he came in third that he went to bed in a huff..." Haru mentioned. Kyo's exact words had been, 'Shut up! I'm goin' to bed! Nobody wake me up!' as he stormed away from the beach only moments after the race.

"He might have just been worn out from overexertion, and he really doesn't like the water." Marley felt bad that Kyo had barricaded himself away and hoped that he would come and enjoy the rest of the day soon.

"Yuki, you mind if I take a bath?" Haru asked as he stood at the end of the couch that Yuki was resting on.

"You don't need my permission." The grey-haired boy sighed, wondering why Haru felt the need to ask something like that.

"I thought you might be lonely..." Haru simply said, and Marley giggled a bit at the nonchalant look on his face as he uttered the words.

"GO TAKE YOUR DAMN BATH!" Yuki had enough energy to yell and throw a nearby pillow at Haru. Marley giggled a bit, glad that Yuki had enough energy to goof around.

"Leave it to us! We'll stay by his side!" Momiji cheered.

"Right! L-leave it to us!" Tohru had a determined look on her face, and Haru nodded his thanks before he went off to take a bath.

"I'll make some tea." Marley offered as she felt the need to do something as Yuki seemed to have enough people looking over him.

"Do you need help?" Tohru asked, and Marley shook her head but thanked her for asking.

"I'll grab another cool towel for Yuki's forehead and some more water to drink. We should keep him hydrated." Marley walked away into the kitchen, and they could hear the sound of the tap along with the sound of cupboards opening and closing.

Momiji hurried off, wanting to grab a book about the beetles they planned on catching, and Tohru stayed seated by Yuki's side.

Yuki watched and looked at Tohru's hair and decided to try something he had seen a fellow Zodiac member due to a girl with white-blonde hair. It was a simple and intimate gesture, and he decided to try and see something.

Who are you to me?

Tohru felt a small tug and looked back into to see Yuki watching her with a soft look in his calm eyes.

"There's something I want to say... When the time comes... I think I should tell you." Yuki's voice was so quiet and gentle that Tohru worried that she would miss a word if she even breathed.

Yuki mentioned a few things, but it all seemed very mysterious to Tohru.

"So, when it's the right time. If you'll listen... I'd be very happy. I have to open the lid.." and with that, Tohru's brown locks slipped through Yuki's fingers, and he fell asleep. The words stuck to Tohru as she wondered what he meant.

Open... the lid?

"Oh, he fell asleep? Must have been exhausted. I'll just leave this here." Marley placed the glass of water on the table within reach of Yuki for when he woke up. Amethyst eyes then looked to the brunette and watched as the girl's eyes seemed clouded.

"Tohru?" Marley called out as she kneeled down to the ground and gently squeezed Tohru's shoulder.

"Hmm?" Tohru started back at Marley but still seemed like she wasn't entirely present.

"You okay?"

"Ah, Yes! I'm fine! Perhaps I got a little too much sun as well." She insisted, but Marley looked less than convinced. Marley put the back of her hand to Tohru's forehead, but there was no fever.

"Maybe some tea will help, be ready in a bit. Are you sure you don't want to lay down for a bit before we go explore the forest?" Marley tried, hoping that Tohru didn't get sunstroke or anything.

"I wouldn't want to leave Yuki when he's not feeling well." Marley understood and left when she heard the kettle's whistling, trying to make herself useful while wondering what was plaguing Tohru.

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"This waaaay!" Momiji cheered as he led the way through the forest path, swinging Marley's hand back and forth.

"What the heck are we doin' in the forest?" Hiro complained, exhausted and wish he had just stayed behind. But Kisa was going into the forest, and he didn't want to miss out. So here he was, out in the woods with Tohru, Marley, Momiji, Kisa and Miguel.

Hatsuharu had stayed behind with Yuki, who was still feeling a little dizzy and Kyo was still shut in his room, so they were all missing out on the small adventure.

"We're preparing to catch stag beetles." Momiji explained, a big smile taking over his face as his large brown eyes beamed with excitement.

"And that's fun?" Hiro asked skeptically as he raised an eyebrow.

"Yes!" Marley, Momiji and Tohru said before giggling. The three together were almost a bit too much rainbows and sunshine for Hiro. Marley he could take, Marley WITH Tohru AND Momiji. It was a lot.

"Why don't we just buy some..." Hiro scoffed, but Miguel ruffled the boy's hair, telling him to lighten up a bit.

"There! A Sawtooth oak!" Momiji spotted a tree, and the group gathered around it.

"I don't see any stag beetles..." Miguel said as he looked at the trees and all he saw was brown bark, not a single bug in sight.

"If we apply a certain something to this tree, they'll come to lap it up! And that something is... sugar water!" Marley brought out the small container filled with sugar water and some brushes to help apply the bait.

"It's too bad Kyo didn't join. He was the one to tell us about the sugar water." Marley looked back in the direction of the house, half hoping the orange-haired boy would just appear. Momiji tilted his head as he watched Marley's eyes and then squeezed her hand, bringing back her attention to him.

"Maybe tomorrow, Kyo will join us! He just needs to rest!" Momiji encouraged, and Marley smiled back at him and nodded, humming in agreement.

"We'll have to get up bright and early tomorrow." Marley told them as she handed a brush to Kisa and Hiro so they could brush the sugar water on the tree.

"Yep, as early as we can!" Momiji nodded.

"Marley-Onee-Chan, will you wake me when you get up." Kisa asked as she knew that Marley was used to getting up early, and she smiled and promised that no one would be left sleeping past 6.

"Oh, wait! I have to go find my own sawtooth oak! C'mon Marley-Chan!" Momiji grabbed Marley's hand, and they were off while Tohru fretted and told them to be careful, but Marley promised they would be before they disappeared down a forest path.

.

Miguel watched as a small green pocketbook fell out of Tohru's pocket and quickly reached down to pick it up. It was open, and a photo slipped out. A woman with bright orange hair was smiling at the camera. The boy had an idea of who it was in the picture.

"Tohru." Miguel called out, and the girl looked up to meet his gaze.

"Huh? Ah, yes?" She asked, stopping what she was doing.

"You dropped this." Miguel held up the small pocketbook and held out to her. The girl started to get slightly frantic as she looked at the item.

"AAAAAAH! Mom! What are you doing there!? Did you teleport?" She asked as she reached out with both hands and carefully grabbed it with care.

"It slipped out of your pocket." Miguel watched at the worry and panic in Tohru's eyes, and he was glad he had noticed the pocketbook. He didn't want to imagine how the girl would feel if she lost the photo.

"Th-thank you so much! Thank goodness you found her! I almost abandoned her!" Tohru repeatedly bowed, and Miguel had to finally hold her by her shoulders to make her stop, insisting it was fine.

"I'm glad I found her before one of those beetles kidnapped her." He joked, and Tohru giggled a bit, feeling herself calm down a bit, the crisis averted.

"Why do you only carry around a picture of your mom?" Hiro asked as he noticed it was the very same pocketbook he had taken a few months ago.

"You lost both your parents, right? But you don't have a photo of your dad. I mean... with you its always like 'my mom' this and 'my mom' that. You've got attachment issues with your mom, and that's probably an understatement." Hiro shrugged as he ranted. Any sense of thinking before he spoke out the window.

"Even Marley-Nee has other stuff in her life, and yet she keeps both her parents with her. Don't you have anything in your life?" Hiro put his hands on his waist and shook his head in disbelief as the others watched him go on.

Miguel had trouble with how quickly the kid was speaking, but he could pick up a few words, but what gave away the cruelty of Hiro's words was Tohru's face, and Miguel grabbed the boy by the back of his shirt.

"Kid, chill." Miguel scolded, and Hiro told him to cut it out, but it was Tohru who made everyone stop, and she put on a smile, but something was clearly off to those who were genuinely watching.

"I'm worried about Momiji-Kun and Marley-Chan! So I'm gonna go look for then!" Tohru smiled at the three and hurried off down a random path. Miguel looked at the two kids and told them to stay there, following Tohru into the forest.

"Hiro-Chan... You shouldn't talk to her like that." Kisa said softly as she stared down at the forest path that everyone had disappeared down.

"like what? I don't think it's a big deal.. And she didn't seem bothered." Hiro saw Tohru just put on a smile as she walked away, so he assumed that she must be fine.

"How would you know... if she was bothered or not?" Kisa asked, not understanding why Hiro was being like this, and it hurt her. Hiro was so good to her and was close with Marley, yet he would say such mean things to Tohru. It was hurting Kisa to just watch and had to say something. Anything to make it stop.

"You don't know what she's feeling inside... you don't know her emotions... So don't say 'its no big deal... Don't make assumptions like that." Kisa used the bravest voice she could to defend Tohru, and Hiro was surprised as he never heard Kisa be so forward, and panic started to set in.

He couldn't understand where he went wrong to make Kisa talk to him like that, and he hated it. He wanted to be someone Kisa could depend on yet...

"Wh-why should I... I don't care about her feelings! Why do I have to tiptoe around her!" He argued, frustrated with how this adventure in the forest had turned out.

"Hiro-Chan... why did you come here? Was it to cause problems for Tohru-Onee-Chan?" Kisa cried before turning and running off, leaving Hiro to slump in the forest, wondering how he let this happen.

Kisa stumbled across Marley and Momiji, who had just been brushing some sugar water onto a tree. Marley had just been asking Momiji what he thought they would be having for dinner when she felt small hands wrap around her waist.

"Kisa? What's wrong? Everything okay?" Marley asked as she looked down at the girl and rubbed her back. She stayed silent and shook her head, her hands clinging onto the soft white fabric of Marley's long skirt.

"Come on, help me, and Momiji find one last tree before we head back for dinner." Marley coaxed, and Kisa held tightly onto her hand as they walked through the trees.

.

..-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

.

Everything felt foggy and numb as the girl held the pocketbook over her delicate heart, praying to keep it together. She didn't want anyone to see. She needed to lock it up.

Tight

Tohru had meant to look for Momiji and Marley but instead had gone down a different path. She was led to an open area with a bench that looked over the beach and its ocean.

The girl looked at the sky, the oranges bleeding into the dark of the night, and the stars were beginning to pop out. Her heart was pounding, and there was a sharp pain as she gripped the dark green pocketbook. Her knees gave way as she sat on the bench, her eyes still staring across the ocean.

Why? Why?

Images of her Mother flashed before Tohru's eyes and the life they had shared. All of it seemed too far away like it was slipping through her fingers.

That is...

Tohru stood in the now empty apartment, the few belongings she owned boxed up and ready to be moved to the new place she would be staying.

As this could no longer be her home.

I have to open...

"Okay... It's okay. We'll be together... Always." Tohru promised as she held the photo to her chest like it was a life preserver. Keeping her afloat in a vast empty ocean.

"I found ya." A deep voice brought her back to earth, and she looked over to see Miguel's face, a soft look in his eyes as he stared down at her.

"Oh, I- I hope I didn't cause you any trouble. I just got a little. Lost." Tohru tried to come up with an excuse, but Miguel just shook his head and sat down before gesturing to the pocketbook in Tohru's hands.

"Your Mother...Do you always take her with you?" Miguel asked, talking gently. He had seen that same look before and had reacted the wrong way once. He could learn from his mistakes and handle it better.

"Yes...So it's kind of like... I'm always with her." Tohru admitted, hoping she didn't sound silly and hoped her English made sense. Miguel nodded and pulled down his shirt a bit, flustering Tohru, but Miguel only laughed and pointed her towards a tattoo with a name in cursive writing.

"That's my Abuelo's name. So I always keep him near." Miguel explained as he laid a hand over the tattoo.

"You're... Abuelo?" Tohru didn't know the word and tried to think of who 'Abuelo' could be.

"Oh... Jii-San." Miguel hoped that he used the right word and Tohru nodded, picturing an old man like her own grandfather.

"He owned a garage, and he was always teaching me stuff... My parents worked a lot, so they normally dropped me off with him. He showed me how to fix cars, properly throw a punch, taught me how to shotgun a beer." He laughed as he admitted the last one; Miguel couldn't remember the last time he talked about the old man. Tohru didn't really understand what he was talking about but was drawn in by the warmth of his voice as he spoke of old memories.

"... he passed away a few years ago, and I got really lost.. There was a bunch of shit happening at my house, and I didn't have anywhere to go.." Miguel decided to not talk about the trouble he caused for his parents as he stared out at the ocean. All because he had been too caught up in his rage to see the damage it had caused to those around him.

The sunset's glow made him look like he was from something that could be painted on canvas. The intense look in his deep eyes made Tohru want to know what was he was thinking. Her eyes also began to run over the rest of his tattoos, wondering what more was behind them.

What more could she learn about Miguel.

"It's pretty normal, I bet. To sometimes surround yourself in stuff that keeps them with you. I think of my Abuelo when I work on cars and even... ask him questions as if he's beside me." He admitted. He had also noticed that Marley wore her parent's clothes; she even used her dad's band shirts as pj's. Tohru wasn't alone when it came to holding onto the past.

Miguel hoped what he was saying helped; he imagined losing a parent was different than a grand-parent. Watching Tohru and Marley be so strong even though he knew that they missed their parents made him want to call up his folks.

He also wished he knew more Japanese so that he and Tohru could speak properly but hoped his words still reached her.

Tohru seemed pretty quiet, but Miguel didn't push her to talk. He just sat there on the bench, offering only the comfort of his company, but to Tohru, it was all she needed in this moment.

She didn't want to talk. She didn't know what to say, and she felt so delicate that she was afraid that if she opened her mouth, the wrong things would spill forth. Miguel didn't hurry her, just waited patiently as she stared out at the ocean with him.

The two just waited, the sun's glow slowly disappearing to give way to a dark stary sky. The moon's light made Tohru realize how late it had become.

"We should head back!" Tohru jumped up from the bench.

"Only when you're ready." Miguel looked up at her from his spot on the old wooden bench.

But what if I'm never ready?

"But the others-"

"I texted Marley. Just to let her know that we hadn't... run away together of something." He joked, and Tohru took a few moments before realizing what he was insulating and became flustered.

Miguel laughed and was almost tempted to tease some more, enjoying the blush and light in her eyes that seemed a little brighter than it had been a few moments earlier.

But Miguel's stomach interrupted everything, and it was his turn to be flustered, and Tohru tried not to giggle, but they came out so naturally.

"C'mon. We should go back for dinner." Tohru led the way back, and Miguel shucked before following, hoping that he had helped her feel better just the slightest bit.

Tohru smiled at Miguel, and though it didn't quite reach her eyes, Miguel figured she was trying her best and walked with her back. Miguel thought that even though the smile wasn't exactly her true feelings, it did show her strength, and it was something to be admired.

.

.-.-.-.-.-.-.

.

The summer home was quiet as most of the kids had dispersed after their dinners. Kyo hadn't even come down, still sleeping off the exhaustion after the beach. Haru, Miguel and Yuki were hanging out in the living room with the TV on the low.

"Did Kisa and Hiro get into a fight? They were quiet during dinner." Yuki asked as he thought back on the two youngest members.

"it's a waste of time for a third wheel to get involved in a lovers' quarrel. It's best to leave them be." He shrugged as he flipped through channels on the large TV.

"I hope everything is alright, though," Yuki mentioned that Miguel asked Haru to stop on a channel showing a car show of some sort. Sounds of footsteps padding down the stairs, diverting everyone's attention, and Marley threw them a smile as she spotted them and walked past.

"Are you going out for a run this late?" Yuki asked as he eyed Marley's get up of yoga pants and cropped tight t-shirt.

"Just some stretching before bed. Thought it would be nice to enjoy the stars too." Marley raised the yoga mat she had under her arms and disappeared to the back porch, gently closing the door behind her. The girl laid out the mat and took a deep breath in and out before leaning forward and touching her toes, easing into the stretch.

"... Marley-Nee." Marley heard Hiro call for her, and she simply asked if he was coming to join her for yoga.

His silence made Marley peek over her shoulder at him. Hiro had his head bowed, his arms, and it was clear by his eyes that something was on his mind. Marley got out of the complicated move and then sat cross-legged, eying Hiro, waiting for him to talk.

Hiro let out a puff of air and sat down across from her.

"...I.. I said something... To that girl." It looked like it was taking everything Hiro had to get out those words.

"I'm going to guess you're talking about Tohru." Marley sighed, but Hiro just glared at the wood on the porch.

"What happened?" The white-blonde asked, and she listened as Hiro spilled the story. From Tohru dropping the pocketbook and panicking as Miguel gave it back to Hiro's observation about Tohru. He decided not to mention that he compared Tohru to Marley as he was embarrassed enough.

"Hiro... why would you say something like that?" Marley knew that Hiro could be a brat, but even this seemed more out of line than usual. The look of disappointment in her large eyes made Hiro feel a million times worse, but he kept digging himself a hole.

"It's not like I'm wrong. She clearly has attachment issues." He argued, and Marley knew that he might be right. Tohru spoke to her Mother's photo as if she were really here, but the girl knew that Tohru was coping, and Marley did it too sometimes.

"Hiro... Tohru lost her Mother, who was clearly very dear to her. She's probably … just trying to hold onto whatever she can. You shouldn't judge someone on how they try to get by, you don't know how she's feeling." Marley's tone was soft, but her large eyes were still intimidating. The boy could tell she was disappointed in him.

"She seemed fine to me, she was smiling and everything..." Hiro explained, but Marley could almost see the gears in his head working as he seemed to go deep in thought.

"But perhaps... I don't know as much as I thought.." The young boy admitted, his shoulder slumping forward a bit as he admitted defeat, and Marley let out a soft sigh as she reached out and ran a hand through his soft brown locks.

"No one does. Sometimes people smile to hide how they really feel or protect others." Marley explained, knowing that she herself was guilty of it.

The young Zodiac member took in Marley's words, thinking hard about not just his and Tohru's interactions but his past with Marley as well.

Hiro remembered back when he thought Marley was going back to the states. How she tried to argue that she would be fine. Hiro had been angry because it felt like she was able to walk away like the Sohma's meant nothing.

Only to find her breaking down in tears later, crying about how she wished to stay with them. Marley had tried to put on a brave face when s... thought too...ould have to leave the Sohma Estate when really, all she wanted to do was stay with them.

"You have hidden feelings too... Right?" Hiro asked, surprising Marley as she looked over at his large eyes that were watching hers. Her mind wandered from that lonely hospital room where she was helpless to the boy with the orange eyes that made her feel... seen.

Hidden feelings...sometimes too many to count.

"I do... some of them... But its because I have all of you. Those feelings... are made a little better." Marley didn't want to burden Hiro with anything more, he was just a kid. He was very intelligent but was still a kid, and Marley wanted to protect him in any small way she could.

The longing she felt when her Mother left time and time again when she was a child to go work overseas. The fear when Yuuto Sohma arrived at the village she and her great grandmother lived and how happy he made her Mama. The guilt she carried because she knew that her Mama missed out on so many things in life because of Marley.

And now Marley would never be able to make it up to her because they were gone.

Marley thought back to when she was staring out that lonely hospital window, her heart aching, and everything breath felt like a knife to the lungs.

She thought of the Sohma family that had brought her back from the brink. Her Dadaji who made her laugh with his strange ways. Hatori, who patiently let her show him random Youtube videos and endured what she found funny. Isuzu, who had snapped her out of her dark thoughts when Marley felt too weak to fight. Momiji had given her laughter and a younger brother to goof off with. Kisa had helped her find her love for dance again. Hiro had made sure that she stayed in the Sohma family and Kyo-.

Marley shook her head and stopped herself before she got too carried away. Life wasn't perfect. Marley still carried some pain, but she knew she should be grateful and thankful in her heart as she received a lot more than she felt she deserved.

The adopted Sohma would do what she could to try and pay a little back. No matter what.

"So let's try and move forward a do our best to better ourselves. For those that mean most to us." Marley smiled down at Hiro, h" r eyes were a little teary, but she quickly masked it as Hiro had enough on his plate. Not only was he a young, awkward boy in love, but he also shouldered the weight of a mysterious curse.

".. I'll try."

"I know you can. You have lots of kindness in you, Hiro. You just have a bit of sharp tongue." Marley gently took Hiro's face in her hands, making sure that he looked her in the eye.

"You're still growing up and... "You're these kinds of mistakes, it's part of it. But I know your smart enough to learn from them and become the kind of man who won't go around saying... whatever you feel like." Marley encouraged as she honestly did believe in him, resting her forehead against his.

Hiro just needed to stop thinking that Tohru was taking Kisa away from him and learn to get along with the sweet, optimistic girl.

"I'll... do better," Hiro promised as he didn't want to keep disappointing Marley and Kisa. And he wanted to be the kind of man that could make Kisa happy. Marley released his small face from her grasp, smiling gently down at him.

"You know who Tohru kind of reminds me of?" It had crossed Marley's mind before, but she hadn't mentioned it, and this seemed like a good a time as any.

"Do I want to know?" Hiro groaned, just knowing that he might regret hearing what Marley had to say.

"Tohru kind of reminds me of your mom." Marley smiled as she let Hiro knew what she thought, and Hiro felt his stomach drop.

"She does not! Take it back!" He argued, refusing to see the similarities.

"Aww, but they're both so sweet! And they're both little clumsy." Marley pointed out and this only frustrated Hiro more as Marley might actually be on to something.

"They are nothing alike!" Hiro fought, and Marley just giggled, but Hiro didn't want to admit that if anything, Marley reminded him of his Mother. A slightly more graceful version, maybe.

"Whatever you say. Now come on, "do some meditation with me." Marley patted the ground, inv" ting him to sit beside her.

"Why?" Hiro huffed, slightly pouting.

"Because I want you to have a cool head before you go makeup with Kisa." Marley winked, and Hiro blushed before sitting himself back down and followed Marley's lead. Both sitting in peace for a while before Marley sent Hiro off to find Kisa.

But before Hiro fully re-entered the house, he looked back at Marley, who just continued on with her meditating and stargazing. Had Hiro not been worried about fixing things with Kisa, he would have noticed the somewhat sorrowful look in Marley's eyes.

.

Marley wasn't worried about the two young Zodiac members. Not in this instant, at least. They cared about each other a lot, and Marley knew how much Hiro loved Kisa. He was just an awkward boy in love. As long as they spoke and sorted out their feelings, then everything would be fine. Marley didn't want the two to avoid each other like the last time when the two had a slight misunderstanding.

But her mind wandered back to 'hidden feelings' and Tohru. The concerned friend hoped that Tohru let it out soon because she could tell that it was weighing on the kindhearted girl. She was always giving so much to everyone around her and did so much, but Marley couldn't help but wonder. How much was Tohru hiding, and was there anything Marley could do to help.

As Marley rested in an upside-down pose, she continued to think of Tohru, and her thoughts wandered to how they were alike and how slightly similar their situations were.

They had lost their family and had to move forward. Tohru made it look so easy and always had a smile on her face. But behind that smile, Marley was certain that something was happening. Because Marley too knew what it was to put on a smile and pretend that everything was okay.

To not make anyone worry and try and hide... til you feel like you can't do it anymore.

Letting out a soft sigh, she got up and slipped her locket back on around her neck. Marley bit the inside of her cheek as she continued to stare up at the stars. In her mind, she imagined her parents in Paris, the city where they met and fell in love.

She imagined them enjoying café lattes on a small side street as the sun shined on them, the Eiffel Tower peeking over the buildings behind them.

Are you up there? Are you happy? Are you together?

Marley looked up at the night sky; the stars certainly looked lovely. Much brighter than they were back home. Marley thought of her parents and imagined that they would love to be here as well. Enjoying the sunshine and the cool water.

What would they be up to is they came along to the beach house?

Marley could picture her father swimming and even partaking in the races while her Mother lounged on the beach.

Would her father know how to look for Japanese beetles? Mama would never go looking for beetles, though.

Would they have better words of advice for Hiro?

She could picture her parents forcing Kyo out of his room for dinner, scolding him for not taking care of himself...

And then... they would be looking up at the stars together, talking of mindless things.

"... I miss you," Marley whispered to the dark night as tears pricked in her eyes, knowing it was only her, the stars and the crickets.

The girl found herself unable to look up at the twinkling night sky as it started to make her feel lonelier, and she covered her eyes with her hands, trying to calm herself down as she took deep breathes. Marley didn't want to walk past those in the living room with tears or hiccups. Unknowing of a pair of watchful orange eyes form the roof.

.

.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

.

Kyo softly padded across the wooden floor, peaking into the kitchen. Marley stood in front of the kitchen counter, the early morning light bouncing off her long hair that seemed to flow on forever in waves of platinum. Her body slightly swaying to the soft music playing from the stereo.

That love, that love

Bring me a higher love, love

That love, that love

Bring me a higher love, oh

That love, that love

Bring me a higher love, love

That love, that love

Bring me a higher love

Worlds are turnin', and we're just hanging on

Facing our fear, and standin' out there alone

A yearning, yeah, and it's real to me

There must be someone who's feeling for me

Things look so bad everywhere

In this whole world, what is fair?

We walk the line and try to see

Fallin' behind in what could be, oh

"Mornin'." Kyo called out, and she seemed to jump slightly before looking over her shoulder.

"Kyo! Good morning. All rested up after yesterday?" Marley asked as she smiled at him while taking a quick pause from her cutting board task.

"Just making a light breakfast, "want a strawberry?" Marley offered as she slipped" a berry into her own mouth.

"I'm going for a run. I'll eat later." He shrugged, and Marley's smile disappeared.

"You not gonna join us for the beetle thing?" Marley asked, trying not to look too disappointed.

"Nah." Kyo immediately answered without really thinking.

"Aw, but Momiji was saying that you were like the stag-beetle sensei." Marley tried as Momiji had been getting most of his stag beetle tips from Kyo. So it only seemed natural that Kyo had become 'stag beetle sensei.'

"What?! ….Why did he have t' make it weird." Kyo groaned as a small red flush appeared on his cheeks, and Marley giggled, but Kyo was then reminded of what he wanted to ask.

"Hey... Are you alright?" Kyo asked, and Marley looked at him with slight confusion, wondering what he was referring too.

"I was on the roof and-... Look... I wasn't spying or anything, but when I was getting down, I saw you on the porch, and you seemed...sad." Kyo wished he was better with words, but he wanted to know what was wrong.

"Did I? NO I was... I was just enjoying the stars. they are stunning out here." Marley smiled as she kept her eyes on her work.

The stars had been beautiful last night. Kyo had watched them for a bit as well as he liked star gazing too. But he remembered the previous time that he and Marley had spoken of the stars. It was the golden week trip to the lake house, and he had found Marley on the docks.

"You used to look at the stars with your parents, right?" Kyo asked.

"You remember that?" Marley had honestly thought that Kyo would forget the silly tidbit about her life. A warm bubble feeling started in her chest. A part of her wished that Kyo didn't remember things like that. Knowing he did made Marley feel all those feelings that she was trying to push away.

"Yeah... I was thinking... It would have been really nice for them to be here." Marley didn't realize how quiet her voice had gotten as she cut up some strawberries and added them to the bowl of fruit salad she started. Marley heard the sound of footsteps above her and just knew that soon the kitchen would start to fill with the other Sohma's who were able to get up early.

"You sneak out for your run before you get dragged in, it's about to become a little chaotic, I'm sure." Marley's smile was soft, and the light pouring on her from the window made it seem angelic, but it was also slightly sad.

"Right." Kyo took a few steps towards the door but looked back at Marley in the kitchen as she slowly went back to making a light breakfast.

He couldn't leave.

"I'll take a bowl of that." Kyo sighed as he sat himself down at the kitchen counter.

"What about your run?" Marley questioned as she slightly tilted her head at Kyo, curious why he had changed his mind.

"I'll go later. Gotta make sure that Rabbit didn't mess up the sugar water for the beetles..." Kyo made up the excuse.

"It's not like I want to go or anything, okay? Don't read too much into it!" Kyo sisted, and Marley owlishly blinked before a smile stretched over lips. Marley was just elated that Kyo was going to join. It wasn't much. It was honestly so insignificant in Kyo's mind. But it made Marley genuinely smile, and Kyo couldn't help but feel content.

"Well, what would we do without the expert." Marley giggled and Kyo felt his cheeks warm.

Miguel came walked into the kitchen and wished Marley a good morning, giving her a tight hug that lifted her off the ground before placing her back down.

The Zodiac member could only watch as it wasn't like Marley seemed to be uncomfortable, but Kyo wanted to make it stop. He felt that way every time the overseas guest laid a single finger on Marley. He did it so easily and could do so as he pleased.

It wasn't fair.

Kyo glared as he felt stomach get uncomfortable and tight. The tall teenager felt Kyo's glare, and he turned around to Kyo and raised a brow at Kyo before smirking.

Miguel knew why Kyo was glaring at him.

But he said nothing and grabbing himself an apple as he left the kitchen, plopping himself on the couch and going through his phone. Kyo felt a weird feeling of relief when Miguel's arm had left Marley's brown skin.

.

A few moments later, Hiro, Kisa, Tohru and Momiji entered the kitchen. The young ones were still a bit sleepy, but Tohru and Momiji seemed raring to go, and they all enjoyed a light breakfast. Marley kept an eye on Kisa and Hiro, relieved that it looked like the two were talking and that everything had been smoothed over for the most part.

Momiji wasted little time inhaling his breakfast and making sure everyone got a move on. It was easy to assume that he was most excited about seeing the beetles.

"Look! Look! It worked!" Marley was astounded as she saw the large beetles crawling on the spaces where just the night before they had brushed on sugar water.

"Kyo! Look!" Momiji had placed a beetle in Marley's palm, and she was in awe before apologizing to the beetle for perhaps ruining their morning.

"I hope you had a good breakfast, mister beetle, are these your friends? Oh! Or maybe you guys all family!" Marley talked to the beetle, and Momiji and Kisa giggled while Kyo just watched in slight amazement.

This was something so childish, but it certainly made Marley's eye sparkle with joy.

"What kind of beetle is this?" Marley asked as she held up the beetle in her palm; Kyo was slightly shocked it hadn't flown off.

"It's a rhinoceros beetle." Kyo explained and tried to hi" e the small inkling of pride at teaching Marley about the beetles that had shown up on the saw oak tree. But Momiji noticed how Kyo stood a little taller and even puffed out his chest just the tiniest bit and hid a knowing smile.

While Kyo, Momiji and Marley talked about the different types of beetles. Tohru, Miguel, Hiro and Kisa checked on the other trees.

Miguel felt torn as he wanted to stand by the girl who he loved and was the reason he was here in the first place. But Marley seemed so content as she asked Kyo question after question, and what really got Miguel was the soft look in the Kyo's eyes as he answered anything she asked.

The two standing together reminded him of something, but he couldn't quite place what.

Miguel felt lucky that none of the Sohma boys being very touchy or affectionate as that would be have been a little harder to watch. Although... It was surprising as Marley herself was so affectionate, and he was surprised that the living girl didn't shower her new family with hugs.

Perhaps it's a cultural thing?

A part of Miguel was also trying to see how long it would take for the orange-haired boy to flip out on Miguel for being touchy with Marley. He could always feel Kyo's stare whenever he came within a 10 feet radius of Marley, and Miguel kind of enjoyed poking fun.

Was it right? No

Was it fun? Hell Yeah

"Oh, wow! How cute." Tohru's cheerful voice brought Miguel's attention back, and he looked down at her, wondering what she was commenting on, only to be slightly surprised that she was eyeing his right shoulder.

"Hmm?"

"This purple butterfly! "It's" so "pretty!" Miguel looked It's at his rig" t arm where a hidden light lilac butterfly tattoo. It stood out a bit as most of his tattoos were black ink with only a few red patches here and there. But this one small butterfly rested upon a black inked chrysanthemum.

"Yeah..." The butterfly was meant to represent Marley. Chandra had used to call Marley 'Titli' as a nickname, which Miguel learned meant 'butterfly' in Punjabi. Miguel found the imagery fitting for the girl who seemed to dance in the air.

Miguel had also been a bit out of his mind drunk when he got it, but he wasn't about to admit that, and Marley didn't even know about the small tattoo.

"I've been thinking about getting it covered up." he shrugged as he rubbed the back of his neck, trying to play off his slight embarrassment. He had been thinking about getting something for the last year, but every time he looked at it...it was weirdly comforting.

It was a bittersweet feeling. Miguel had been hurt when Marley hadn't returned his feelings, but he still saw her as a dear friend and wanted to remain a part of her life.

"What?! Why?! Is it because I said it was cute!? I didn't mean it in a bad way! I bet you don't want someone to think your tattoos are cute. 'Tough' or maybe 'cool' would be a better word." Tohru panicked as she worried" that her words had made Miguel doubt his tattoos, but he only laughed and insisted that it had nothing to do with what she said.

"Nah... just need a little change. Maybe I'll get one of these bad boys put on instead." Miguel joked as he picked up a giant black stag beetle from the tree next to him and hovered it over his shoulder.

"Ah, that would look really pretty too!" Tohru gushed, imagining the tattoo already on Miguel's tan skin and how it would look among all the other artwork.

"Not cool?" He smirked, and Tohru began to fret, her heart racing as she waved her hands around, and Miguel laughed before he offered her the beetle, impressed that she wasn't squeamish over the large insect.

"Ah, Yes! 'Cool' is what I meant "to say." 'Tohru sounded out the word slowly and nodded with determination. The two looked at each other before breaking out into laughter. Miguel was glad to see her smiling but wondered if she was really okay. He hadn't known Tohru for very long and didn't know much about the girl. But he wanted to learn more. What was going on behind those kind brown eyes?

..

.

.

.

.

.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.

End of Chapter 12

Song - Higher Love - Whitney Houston, Kygo.

Sorry can't think of any notes at the moment other then you might have noticed I changed my name. I decided I wanted to change the name to keep this a little separeate from my Twitch account.

Been very tired and the document for this chapter kept messing up and it was very frustrating. So happy to be done with this chapter lol

Thank you so much to those who have supported me with your reviews and I hope that everyone enjoys this chapter. Thank you for reading and I hope you are all well. Please leave a review if you can.

Bye 3